Colchester Theatre

dallasmovietheaters on August 19, 2025 at 4:19 am

I’m no expert but you appear to be conflating two different venues. And please don’t change the entry above because you may be correct. My research reflects that the Gates Building was a post-Civil War era structure built in 1867. It was known for “Tip Top Hall” - a second floor venue at 13-17 South Main. It had a stage and 250 seats. On May 3, 1913, it became the Tip Top Theatre showing motion pictures run by Abe and Harry Lazinsk who additionally ran the Tip Top dry goods store at street level. The Lazinsks sold out both top and bottom. From 1924 to December 1963, the lower floor housed the local Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company (A&P) Grocer. (Photos show the Tip Top Store signage on the side and the Great Atlantic & Pacific signage on the front.) In 1924, Paul Blanchard took over the top floor Tip Top Theater showing silent films.

In 1929, the Lazinsks bought the silent house back from Blanchard and they programmed a combination of events and silent movies into 1931. They tested sound, switched back to silent films, but soon discontinued all film programming there later in 1931. The venue was returned to its original Tip Top Hall moniker whose use was discontinued during World War II. Following A&P’s departure, the nearly 100-year old building was demolished in January of 1964.

I believe the Colchester Theatre was a 350-seat street level movie house at 236 South Main on November 24, 1934. (A total guess here but the structure might have been a former livery - not an unusual transition even in the 1930s. But not at all sure about that.) Nathan Lampert who was building the new-build East Hampton Theatre came into run it in 1935.

Lampert’s granddaughter Mary Markoff along with Ted and Joe Markoff (T&J Theatres) took on the venue during the War. The Colchester Theatre operated regularly to August 20, 1960 - likely closing at the end of 25-year leasing agreement with “From the Terrace.” The Markoffs would operate the Midtown in Norwich and Portland (Ct.) Drive-In in addition to the East Hampton and Colchester.

Used sporadically with events and screenings throughout the 1960s and early 1970s, the Colchester Theatre comes back one more time on August 30, 1974 after a refresh now with 280 seats and playing “For Pete’s Sake.” This doesn’t work out long-term and the building is sold and used as a fraternal hall in 1979.

I’ve posted some visual evidence from the historical societies in that area perhaps to give some additional evidence if that’s helpful. But again, don’t attribute this research to others (the 1930s is a bit of challenge to figure out and the historical society identifies the earlier building differently) so I may be totally off base here. Perhaps the original contributor can clarify the entry so that it can be properly attributed to him; or a local expert can get this over the goal line.